The National tribune., 1887-03-31
IThe ena.l
"KIRBY'S INNocENTS."

or Course They Have No Right TO Claim ANYTHING.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Sergeant
Major" 3lst Ind. expresses surprise that he
docs not hear anything from the First Brigade,
First Division, Fourth Corps Why, my dear
cOnrade, our title, as indicated at the head OF
this article--earned during the war-repre-
scnting us as meek and lowly individuals, holds
good yet. We did try a little Bragg" at
perryyllle, but were told that we never could
have penetrated the rebel line had there not
been gap in the same. At Knob Gap we
thought we captured some cannon; but they
have been claimed 10y so many that we are in
doubt about the matter.
AT Stone River we fought in the cedars un-
Gil onr right and left supports gave way, and
our brigade was almost surrounded. They told
MS none but green troops would have staid so
long. When we started we covered about two
miles before the final stand was made, and al
though we lost PIP men of my own regiment,
we were whipped al the same. over on the
left, where we were thrown in on the last day,
We are told that the artillery on the bluff anni-
Inflated the rebel division of Breckenridge,
and our supposed service there must have been
q myth.
At Liberty Gap we were assisted by other
troops in driving out Pat Geburne's Division,
and these other fellows now claim the job.
When the campaign opened against Chatta-
60 miles south, toward the rebel cracker line.
Bragg evacuated the town and came down our
way Just 10 see what we were about; whoreupOn
some other fellows captured the town from the
Mayor, and proceeded 10 raise the FIRST flag. 1t
is true We bad a skirmish, sometimes called the
battle of Chickamauga, but the affair seems q
matter Of lttle importance TO the men who
swan the river into town.
Before Dalton we made an effort TO scale the
"a "A
At kesaca after two days fun, they again left
Us holding the sack. AT Kingston we Skin.
mishod through the town, forgetting altogether
20 raise the +" first fay" The Sergeant will
perhaps remember that We fought at
NEW HOPE CHURCH
and Pine Mountain, but have nothing 10 blow
about. At Kenesaw we failed in our effort u
break the rebel center on account of the heavy
oarthworks, and therefore would rather no
have the affair mentioned. At Peach Tres
Greek and Atlanta we failed in taking Tia,
town. aud when we fanked the place the rebe
army evacuated to march out aud fight us a
JoneshorO, when the Twentieth Corps marched
into the city, raised the-etc., and claimed thl
capture OF Atlanta.
When Hood marched around ms and started
north, Gen. Sherman seat us after him, and W,
lost the opportunity Of marching to the sea
Our corps was transferred to Tennessee by rail
in advance Of the rebel army, but our brigad
did not ride; we hoofcd IL through with tn
wagon train. At Franklin we were placed OF
the right When the center gave way we wer
hurried over there 10 retake the works; bu
Opdyeke's Brigade was thrown in also, and a
once set mp claim 10 the whole business.
We were Hudcr the impression that we took
fort with a full battery at Nashville but sine
reading Surby d al we surrender all claim
and are willing TO acknowledge that perhap
we were not there at all, and Hoods army wa
beaten by the cavalry.
in March, 1865, we were sent 20 East Ten
ncssee, from where we expected 10 close up o
Lees army from the West but when about I
the Virginia line Lee surrendered. Dear Ser
gcaut, can you-ehould you-expect an limo
cent 10 claim anything2 II a survivor of ou
brigade would at this late day so far forget him
self as to claim pension, he would be reqsre
20 show up hospital record. land would "ge
left" again.-GEoRGE S. MYERS, Co r, l0l,
Ohio, Carey, o.